If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal

What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity

By: Justin Gregg

Narrated by: Justin Gregg

This funny, "extraordinary and thought-provoking" (The Wall Street Journal) book asks whether we are in fact the superior species. As it turns out, the truth is stranger—and far more interesting—than we have been led to believe.

At first glance, human history is full of remarkable feats of intelligence. We invented writing. Produced incredible achievements in music, the arts, and the sciences. We’ve built sprawling cities and traveled across oceans—and space—and expanded to every part of the globe.

Yet, human exceptionalism can be a double-edged sword. With our unique cognitive prowess comes severe consequences, including existential angst, violence, discrimination, and the creation of a world teetering towards climate catastrophe. Understood side-by-side, human exceptionalism begins to look more like a curse.

As scientist Justin Gregg persuasively argues, there’s an evolutionary reason why human intelligence isn’t more prevalent in the animal kingdom. Simply put, non-human animals don’t need it to be successful. And, miraculously, their success arrives without the added baggage of destroying themselves and the planet in the process.

In seven mind-bending and hilarious chapters, Gregg highlights one feature seemingly unique to humans—our use of language, our rationality, our moral systems, our so-called sophisticated consciousness—and compares it to our animal brethren. What emerges is both demystifying and remarkable, and will change how you look at animals, humans, and the meaning of life itself.

Destined to become a classic, If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal asks whether we are in fact the superior species. It turns out, the truth is stranger—and far more interesting—than we have been led to believe.

Critic reviews

“If Nietzsche Were A Narwhal makes some extraordinary and thought-provoking points. It is not only engagingly written, but its controversial thesis is worth taking seriously… some of the cognitive concepts introduced… are nothing less than brilliant.”—David P. Barash, Wall Street Journal

“A dazzling, delightful read on what animal cognition can teach us about our own mental shortcomings. You won’t just tear through this book in one sitting—you’ll probably want to invite Justin Gregg over for dinner to spend more time inside his brilliant mind. This is one of the best debuts I’ve read in a long time, and I dare you to open it without rethinking some of your basic ideas about intelligence.”
—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again

“A snappy read: it left me wondering why we don't respect signals of intelligence from other species—and more deeply consider how our own intelligence works against us.”—Amy Brady, Scientific American

"I defy you not to be interested by this book--it finds a novel way of getting at very deep questions about who we are and what it means, and does so with clear-eyed compassion and a certain humor that softens the conclusion a bit."
—Bill McKibben, bestselling author of The End of Nature and Falter

“Enlightening! If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal is a hilarious and thrilling look at intelligence that asks: are humans really the best? Gregg will dazzle and sweep you off your feet with his detailed exploration of the animal kingdom and its many secrets. This is an absolute must-read.”—Wednesday Martin, bestselling author of Untrue and Primates of Park Avenue

“If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal is a book full of observations as surprising and off-the-beaten-path as its title. It’s scientifically very well informed. But it’s not a treatise—it’s a pleasure.”—Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words and Becoming Wild

“If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal is a funny, perceptive book that answers questions we've been told not to ask. Like many of the great sages, Justin Gregg uses animal stories to treat deep questions of consciousness and justice. The result is a deft field guide to the mixed blessings of intelligence and the real possibility that consciousness (and joy) exist perfectly well without it. “
—William Poundstone, author of How Do You Fight a Horse-Sized Duck?

“A sparkling and witty tour of the many minds we share this planet with. Nietzsche might be surprised to find himself contemplated in the company of beasts from narwhals to slugs — but the fascinating and detailed payoff of the cognitive lives of so many animals is immense.”
—Clive Wynne, author of Dog is Love

Interesting read into the animal mind

thought provoking, filled with unique insights into the animal mind, and the future of our species - raises the question of if our intelligence is actually a good thing (and in some ways, it definitely is not)

Fantastic

great insight to the limitation for the human brain and body. should be mandatory reading in high school.

Disappointing

The title grabs you. The writing and reasoning jumps around and makes the stories or theories hard to follow. This was the concensus from a portion of our book club. There were some fascinating facts, but they could have been delivered more directly, in a less playful way, and the book might have been more satisfying.

Fascinating read

I loved they way Gregg makes you think about consciousness. How every living thing has it in some capacity. How our own human thinking is destroying us.

Difficult to balance philosophy and science.

Justin has some good points and overall it was an enjoyable book. However I wish he understood Nietzsche a bit more. Claiming that maximizing pleasure is the best aspiration in life seems to be missing much of both philosophical wisdom and also modern science in mental health.This Wall-E last man future ideal is exactly why we are destroying the planet. A body biologically driven towards short term pleasure is much of the problem, not the solution. That conflict should have been addressed. With a better understanding of psychology and philosophy this could be a pretty awesome book. That would be asking a lot from a human. Ironically, Nietzsche was eloquently able to do both. Nietzsche would also encourage us to not blame oil companies or laws for our choices but instead take individual responsibility for our impact on the world. Don't wait until the herd is doing the right thing. Have the courage to do the right thing now. So much of Nietzsche would have helped this book and this message. Bottom line, Justin seems like a good fellow with a good message, but chooses a title and some quotes without really doing his homework or thinking critically enough about his main assertion.